Gun and gunner&#39;s chair mounting



Jan. 20, 1948. J. s. sMlTHsoN 2,434,724

GUN AND GUNNERS CHAIR MOUNTING Filed May 4, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 .R i l Arroewsx Jan. 20, 1948. J. s. SMITHsoN 2,434,724

GUN AND GUNNERS CHAIR MOUNTING Filed May 4,*1934 6 SheetslSheet 3 Jan. 20, 1948. l .1. s. sMlTl-lsoN 2.434,724v

GUN AND GUNNERS CHAIR HOUNTIG Filed lay 4, 192544 6 Sheets-Sheet .4

Jan. 20, 1948. J, 5, sMrrHsoN 2,434,724

GUN AND GUNNERS CHAIR MOUNTING 'Filed May 4, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 f90 Hrraemsy- Jan. 20, 1948. J. s. sMrrHsoN 2,434,724

GUN AND GUNNERS CHAIR MOUNTING Filed May 4, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 vroem/5y- Patented'Jan. 20, 1948" UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE GUN AND GUNNERS CHAIR MOUNTING James S. Smithson, Beverly Hills, Calif., assignor to Douglas Aircraft Company, Inc., Santa Monica, Calif.,la corporation of Delaware Application May fi, 1934, Serial No. 723,909

16 Claims.

My invention relates to gunnery and comprises generally a gunner's chair having novel features including` a supporting structure upon which the chair and a gun are mounted, the supporting structure, the chair, and the mounting for the I gun providing novel means of adjustment enabling the gunner to cover a maximum eld of re While seated comfortably in the chair.

My invention is adapted for use in combination with rapid fire guns such as'machine-guns, and particularly with the so-called flexible type mal chine-guns.

when used, are ordinarilypo'sitioned in a rear cockpit inthe fuselage or, in certain types of planes, in a cockpit in the forward end of the fuselage ahead'of the wings.

The gunner usually has other duties to perform, such as those of a radio operator, photogthat the gunner seated thereon may at will raise the seat relative to the gun carriage so as to obrapher, or bombel'as well as handling landing l iiares and ares for determining wind drift, etc. The numerous equipment just referred to, to-

gether with the machine-gun, must be placed within thegunne'r's cockpit, in various positions forward and aft and at the sides of the seat occupied by the gunner.

The violent maneuvers of amodern high performance airplane, in combat make it extremely hazardous for the gunner unless he israt all times securely strapped to the ship.

n It is 'therefore an object of my invention to provide a gunner's chair inwhich a gunner may be securely strapped at all times and which is movable to permit the gunner to face aft while operating the flexible gun, and to face forward for access to radio equipment, auxiliary flight controls, or other equipment, without the necessity of unstrapping himself from the plane and standing in the cockpit tomake the change.

It is another object of the invention to provide a gunners chair, permitting the gunner to remain comfortably seated and securely strapped to the ship while operating a flexible machine-gun throughout its complete range of lire.

It is' a further object of my invention to prof and a flexible machine-gun, upon which the chair and gun are so movable that a maximum range of Ivide a supporting structure for a gunners chair fire is obtained from the rear cockpit of a plane,`

from substantially straight overhead to downward and forward to the trailing edge of the lower wing on either side of the fuselage, and enabling the `gunner without changing his normal Vsitting positiomin the chair to cover with facility the entire area between these limits with the exception of the space blanketed off bythe empennage and fuselage.

It is another object of my invention to provide a gunners chair including a supporting struc- 'ture upon which a gun carriage and a chair are so movably mounted that a gunner strapped in the chair in a normal sitting positionmay face in any direction forward or aft of the plane without unstrapping himself from the chair and thus follow the movement of the gun throughout its entire range of fire, the supporting structure being pivotally supported so that the chair and gun carriage may be tilted together to increase the overhead range of re and to allow the gunner to be comfortably and safely secured to the ship while ring directly overhead.

It is another object of my invention to provide` in combination with a gunners chair, as described in the above paragraph. a seat which isv g adjustable relative to the frame of the chair so lan airplane providing a means for housing the machine-gun within the contour ofthe fuselage l when not in use. to minimize drag.

It is another object of my invention to provide a gun carriage including means for moving the gun from the inoperative position within the contourl of the fuselage into a raised operating position. These and other objects will be made apparent in the following part of the specification, the accompanyingr drawings, and the appended claims. In the drawings, l' Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my device, with fragmentary portions ofthe frame structure of .an airplane being shown to illustrate the manner of connecting the device therewith, and showing a machine-gun associated with the device supported in an inoperative position within an enclosing recess formed in the fuselage of the plane, and showing the -gunners chair facing forward.

Fig. 2 is a view comparable to Fig. 1 but show-l gun is trained.

Fig. 3 is a view comparable to Figs. 1 and 2,

machine-gun trained substantially straight above f the gunnerschair.

Fig. 4 is a. plan view of the device with the machine-gun removed to more clearly show the gun carriage of the device, and showing the carriage and gunners chair pivoted into different positions from the positions in which they@ are shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the device, taken as indicated by the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 .is an enlarged sectional view through the gun carriage of the invention, taken asv indicated i by the line 6 6 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 7 and 8 are horizontal sections through the gun carriage, taken as ind'cated by the lines 'I-1 and 8-8 respectively of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation of a portion of the gun carriage, taken as indicated by the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view partly in section of the mechanism for supporting and locking the seat of the chair upon the frame thereof` this view being taken as indicated by the line I9--I0 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section. taken as indicated by the line II-I I oi Fig'. 4.

Fig. 12 is a'n en larged fragmentary section, taken as indicated by the line I2--I2 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of that portion of the device located within the dot and dash line a: in Fig. 1. v

Fig. 14 is a sectional view illustrating the tilting control latch of the device. this view being.

taken as indicated by the line I4I4 of Fig. 2.

Referring at first to Figs. 1 and 2, I will first generally designate the elements comprising the fundamental combination of the invention as follows: a supporting structure I2., a chair I3. and a gun carriage I4 having a machine-gun I 5 mounted thereon. One concept of the invention includes in combination a carrier body, such as the fuselage of an airplane, which for illustrative purposes is indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings in dot and dash lines and by fragmentary portions of the frame thereof indicated in solid lines, and which will bereferred to later. My invention also embraces, however, the combination `of the fundamental elements of the invention lwith other forms of carrier, mentioned above. which for simplicity it is not deemed necessary to illustrate.

Referring now to the pertinent details of construction and with reference at rst to Figs. 1 to-4, inclusive. the supporting structure I2 comprises an annular ring I6 which provides a chair track. which supporting structure is pivotaily secured on its transverse axis by pivots I'I, to a pair of brackets I8 which are in turn supported b v the frame forming the walls of the fuselage of an airplane indicated at in Figs. 1. 2. and 3. I prefer to pivot the track I6 to the brackets I6 by Divot members I'I, of the character best shown in Fig. 12, each of which includes bolt and nut means I9, extending through bearing means 2|,

consisting ci.' a. bushing No. and-a, wear washer 22, substantially in the manner shown. The pivots I1. serve to pivotaily mount the supporting,

structure I2 on an axis designated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive by the letter A and which will be here- Inafter called the primary or tilting axis. The

primary axis Ain the present instance being illustrated in connection with an airplane fuselage, preferably extends in a horizontal plane transversely of the longitudinal axis of the fusel lage. l

Theannular'ring I6 which provides thechair track is provided with substantially iiat upper and lower surfaces 25 and 26 in which are respectively formed continuous grooves 21 and 28 for the reception of friction reducing means included in the chair structure I3 which I will now describe.

The chair I3 comprises generally a frame 30, a back structure 3l, and a seat 32. The frame 30 is formed of a pair of parallel tubular or cylindrical posts rigidly connected together at the bottom thereof by a spacer 36 having a clamp member 31 welded or otherwise secured at each end thereof, which clamp members are adapted to be clamped to the lower ends of the posts 35 by suitable bolt or rivet means 38.

The upper ends of the posts 35 are rigidly secured together and are relatively spaced by the back structure 3i which comprises, as best shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5, a. substantially semicircular backrest 40. Secured to the back rest 40 are a pair of hanger members 4I and 42, and a plurality of auxiliary hangers 60'. Each of the hanger A members 4I and 42 provides a substantially C- shaped body 44 providing a vertical wall 45, up-

per and lower horizontal walls 46 and 41 respectively, and upper and lower vertically eittending lips 48 and 49. Formed on the vertical wall 45 are upper and lower bosses 50. respectively, cooperating with the lips 48 and 49 to support bearing rest 40 is secured thereto, substantially in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 5, so that a smooth inner surface is provided, obviating the possibility of the clothing of an. occupant becoming caught between the rollers and the track. The body 44 of each of the hangers 4I and 42 is provided with a downwardly, extending cylindrical portionv 58 adaptedto receive the upper end of one of the posts 35, to which it is rigidly secured in any suitable manner, such as by rivets indicated at 59 in Figs. 4 and 5.

In order to provide additional rigidity of thel chair structure. I secure a plurality of auxiliary hangers 60 spaced about the semicircular back rest 40 as best shown in Fig. 4. Referring particularly to Fig. 11, each of the auxiliary hangers comprises a substantially C-shaped body 6I, similar to the body 44 of the hangers 4I and 42, providing a vertical wall 62, upper and lower horizontal walls 63 and 64, and vertically extending lips 65 and 66 cooperating with bosses 61 and 68 in forming supports for bearing members 69 journalling rollers 'I0 which engage the upper and lower track grooves 21 and 28,01 .the track I6. Similar to the hanger members 4I and 42, the C-shap'ed bodies of the auxiliary hangers are positioned to curve around the inner surface of the track I6 and are secured, preferably in the manner shown in Fig. 11 to the back rest 40, by the screws comprising the bearing members 69, so that the back rest presents a smooth inner surface.1

The hanger membersl 4I and 42 and the auxiliary hangers 69 cooperate to movably support the chair structure on the supporting structure or track I6. It will be seen that the rollable engagement of the hangers with the track pivots the chair structure I3 about the central axis of the track I3, designated. by the letter B in Figs.

2, 3, and 4, moving the chair structure I3 in an l -arcuate path aboutthis axis. The axis B, which I will hereinafter call the secondary or pivoting axis, is preferably substantially perpendicular to the primary axis A.l A;

Coming now to the specific construction of theseat 32 with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive and to Fig. 10, the 'seat proper may be of any desired type or construction suitable for the particular use to whichthennvention is subjected. In" the presentv form adapted for combination Y'with an airplane. I prefer to use a seat of the type illustrated in the drawings, which is designed to accommodate a standard seat-'type parachute. Secured to each side of the seat 32 is a tubular member 85 slidably positioned on one o! the posts 35 lof the chair frame 30. VThe mannerof securing themembers 65 to the seat is immaterial,

butA might conveniently include a pair of laterally extending wings 33 on each side of the seat, be-

tween which a pair of spaced .lugs `61 o n each of I the members 65 is secured, 'as' by bolts 33. Thev tubular members 65 are freely slidable on 'the l posts to move the seat 32 along the longitudinal axis of the frame 30. thus varying the distance between the seat 32 and the track IG of Vthe supporting structure I2. The downward movement of the members 05. andthlls the seat 32, is limited bythe clamp members 31.

vMy invention includes means for supporting and locking the seat selectivelyin various positions along the longitudinalaxls of the. frame 30.. One form of mechanism for accomplishing this purpose includes plunger means 10, movablewith the seat and resiliently engageable with a seriesof drilledholes or depressions I I located at spaced intervals "along the posts 35. The preferred form o'f seat locking mechanism comprises, 'as best shown in Figs; 4, 5, and 10, a horizontally '13 across the front of the seat 32, to each end of extending rod 12 j ournalled by bearing .brackets which is secured a 4depending lever 14, thelower end of each lever being pivoted to a plunger rod 10 extending through a plunger box `15 formed on each ofthe members 65 at right angles torthe posts 35 of the chair frame 30. Providedy in spaced relationship on each of the posts 35 are a series of drilled holes 1I, into one of which each of the plunger rods 10 extends.v Positioned around each of the,.p1unger rods' 10 Lwithinlits respective plunger Abox isa compression spring 31, substantially as shown. .s

1I. permitting the seat 32 to slide freely to the chair frame 3'0. -The preferred form of the invention includes relative means for automatically raising the seat 32 when 2, 3, and 5 and includes a pulley 05 journalled on a stub shaft 8 3 projecting laterally from the outer -side offeach of the hanger members 4I and 42. Projecting outwardly from each of the slide membersof the chair 32 is anear 81. Secured to each .of the ears 31 in anysuitable manner is va cord 08 of suitable resilient material, these cords extending upwardly over the pulleys 95 4thereabove and then extending downwardly to be secured to the lower part of the frame 39, for instance, by eye-bolts 89 secured to the clamps Coming now to a description .o2 the gun carriage I4, movably supported on" the supporting structure I2, I show a gun -track 95 which is preferablysubstantially semi-circular and which is secured to a section of the chair track It by blocks 99 and a bracketl 9.1, and upon which the gun.

carriage Il is movable in amanner'whlch I will describe in detail later. In the from of the-invention illustrated, the gun track 95 extends around the ai'tsection of the chair track I9; that is, toward the .back end of the airplane, and the gun carriage moves on the track 95 independently of the chair in an arcuate path adjacent to the chair I3. f

Referring to Figs. 1 and 6. the Agun track 05 preferably comprises a vertical wall 9 3 of semicircular. form and having upper and lower trisurfaced rails I00 and "`IOI -formed integrally thereon. The upper rail |00 is formed to provide an upwardly facing horizontal surface I02 `and inner and outer vertical surfaces |03 and |04, all

of thesek railsurfaces being` symmetrical vwith the semicircular forniof the wall 9 8 throughout its length. The lower rail- I0 I is formed similar to the upper rail but inverted to provide al downwardly facing hori zontal surface I05and inner.

and outer vertical surfaces |06 and |01.

The gun carriage itpro'vides abody II40 providing upper and lower horizontal walls I II and II2 relativelyspace'd to respectively extend over and under the gun track'. 95. Depending from the upper w'all III` is a pair of relatively spaced stub shafts H5 positionedfwith respect to the 16 which is compressed between the outer end of the box and a washerMTl ilxed longitudinally on the plunger rod by a pin 13 `for the purpose of resiliently urging the plunger. rod into a hole.

1I in itsrespective post 35. If desiredguide means for keeping the plunger rods 10at the desired angle relative to'the p 0sts'35 may be providedinthe form of an auxiliary wall 18a within each fof the plunger-boxes 15 having a central Vhole therein in which theplunger rod is slidable.

Provided on the horizontal rod 12 is an out'- wardly projecting U-shaped handle 80 positioned to be conveniently grasped -by an occupant seatedin the chair I3. The handle 80, the rod 12, and the lever 14 operate asa crank means when the handle is pulled upwardly to withdraw the plunger rods 10, against the resilient action of the springs 16, from engagement with the holes track 95 so that friction reducing elements in the form of rollers I IB `iournalled thereon will engage the inner vertical surface |03, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Also depending from the upper wall I-II is a pair-of relatively spaced stub shafts 120.

positioned so that rollers I2I' jo urnalled thereonv engage the outer-vertical surface 104. Formed.- on the body I I0 on each side thereof adjacent the upper wall II`I is a vertically extending lug |22. each suitably supporting astub shaft |23 upon which is journalled a roller |24. V"lherollers |24,

yas best shown. in (Fig. 7, are relatively spaced a considerable distance apart Aand are positioned to roll upon the horizontal surface |02.

Extendin'gupwardly from the lower horizontal wall II2 are stub'shafts I21 and I20positioned symmetricallywith the stub shafts II5 and |20, andjournalling pairs Aof rollers I29 and |30 respectively engaging the inner and outer vertical surfaces of the lower rail |I.- Formed on the body ||0 on each side thereof adjacent the lower wall ||2 isa vertical lug |3|, these lugs supporting stub shafts which Journal rollers |32 engaging the downwardly facing surface |05 in positions symmetrical with the rollers |24.

of pins |80 around which the springs |61 are It will be clear that the rollers described above which engage the upper and lower rails |00 and |0| of the track 96 comprise a friction reducing means movably supporting the carriage on the track. It is to be understood, however. that my invention contemplates other means of supportingthe carriage for movement on the i/rack.

Pivoted between a, pair of lugs formed on the lower part of they body ||0 is a gun standard |4|. The standard.|4| is pivoted to swing in a vertical plane disposed centrally oi' the body ||0 as indicated by the dotted line D D of Fig. 7.

Formed in the body ||0 is a gun standard seat ycomprising a longitudinally extending semicircular groove adapted to receive the body |46 of the standard |4| when it is swung into. a substantially vertical position. The body |48 of the standard |4| is preferably cylindrical and the unper portion |41 of the groove |45 is formed to t tightly therearound. Provided on the body ||0 adiacent the upper end of the groove |45 is a pair of vertically disposed wings. adapted to pivotally support a latch member |48 on a pin |49. The

latch member |48 is provided with'a dog 50, projecting outwardly over the groove |45 and is also provided on the opposite end thereof with a thumb piece |5|. A spring |52 is associated with the latch member substantiallyv in the manner shown so that the dog |50 is resiliently depressed thereby, the downward movement thereof being limited by suitable stop means |53 of any desired form.

Formed in the body |48 of the gun standard |4| is an openingv |55 comprising engagement means whereby the latch member isl operable to' lock the gun standard rigidly to the gun carriage when the standard is raised into its vertical position.

Provided on the upper end oi' the gun standard 4| is a connecting device indicated at |80 which may be of any desired type suitable for releasably connecting with the universally pivoted trunnion of a standard flexible machine-gun, such as the gun i5 illustrated in the drawings.

My' invention also provides means for selectively locking the guncarriage in Various positions in its arcuate path of travel. One form of mechanism for accomplishing thispurpnse includes a series of holes. or depressions |62 provided in the wall 90 and extending substantially the entire distance around the semicircular track in relatively spaced relationship as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Pivotally supported on a horizontal shaft |83 extending between bosses |64 formed on'the body ||0'oi' the carriage I4 is a plunger means in the form of a depending lever |65 having a pin |66 projecting therefrom adapted to engage one of the series of holes |62. Resilient means for urging the plunger pin into the holes |62 is provided in the form of compression springs |61 positioned between the lever |65 and the carriage body ||0. As shown best in Fig. 9, the lever |65 is preferably formed of suiiicent width to allow one of the springs |61 to be positioned on each side thereof and at the same 'level as the plunger pin |66 to prevent any tendency the lever might have to twist relative to the shaft |63. Spring retaining means in the form Vcoiled may be threaded into the body ||0 of the carriage as shown, and if so desired, the pins may extend outwardly through openings |69 in the lever |65, these openings being suillciently enlarged to allow the pivotal movement of the lever without binding on the pins |00.

For actuating the plunger |86 to release the carriage for free movement on the track 96 it is preferable to provide an operating handle |10 which is readily accessible to either hand of the gunner while he is operating the gun. With this in view, I prefer to provide an operating handle comprising a pair of arms |1| and |12, each of which is secured to the hub portion |13 of the' lever |65 in any suitable manner so as to pivot therewith on the shaft |63. The arms |1| and |12 are curved upwardly around and over the upper rail |00 of the track, extending through elongated slots |14, and |15 formed. forl this purpose in the upper horizontal wall and then extending a considerable distance toward the chair structure I3, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 6. After curving upwardly through the slots |14 and |15 thefarms |1| and |12 are preferably bent laterally toincrease the space therebetween so that-a relatively long grasping handle |16 may be secured between the outer ends thereof, substantialy in the manner shown in Fig. 4.

In order to obviate the necessity of the gunner using either hand to operate the handle |10,

supporting structure I2, which'in this instance includes the chair track I8 and4 the gun track 95, 1n the various positions into which it is tilted between the normal position illustrated in Fig. 2. into the substantially reclining position illustrated in Fig. 3.

The preferred form of lock means is illustrated as comprising a pair of telescoplng tubes |90 and |9|, the inner one of which is pivotally secured`A to the supporting structure, preferably to the bottom of the bracket 91, by pin or bolt means |92, and the outer one of which is pivoted at the lower end thereof to a bracket |93 secured to the oor or other suitable part of the, frame structure forming the fuselage of a plane, substantially in the manner shown.

As best shown in Fig. 14, the outer tube 9| .is provided with an opening through one side wall thereof, which Vcommunicates with a laterally extending cylinder |95. having an outer end wall |96 provided with a central opening. Slidable in the cylinder is a. plunger |91 having a pin |98 secured thereto, which pin extends outwardly through the opening in the end wall |96, Secured to the tube |9I below the cylinder |95 is a bracket- |99 pivotally supporting, as .by pin orl boit means i99a, an operating lever 200. The upper portionof the lever 200 extends parallel `with the tube I 9| and is provided at the upper Figs. 4 and 1.4 lso as to be engageable by the foot. l

cylinder plunger |91 and the outer wall |96of the cylin- .e,t,c. I v

I yWhen tllevmachine-gun I5, is not in use, the Ugun,standard is swung rearwardly and down- Iwardly to lower the gun into aninoperative positionwithin arecess 230 formed in the top oi Fig. 14, the resilient means just referred to may be in the form of a spring 205 located in the |95 and compressible between v the der.

In the piferred form of the device the lower end of the ube |90 is closed by a wall 206 having a central opening therein through whichextends a stop rod 208, The lower end of rthe stop rod is secured in fixed relationship with the outer tube I9I in any suitable manner and the upper end thereof is provided with an enlarged head portion 209 adapted to engage the wall 205 to linut the elongation of the telescoping tubes and thus the backward inclination ofthe seat structure I3. A suitable stop member'2l0 is also provided in the lower end of the tube ISI to limit the collapsing of the tubes and'thus determine the normal plane of the supporting structure and the normal position of the chair structure.

A chair lock generally designated by the numeral 2I5 is also provided in the device for preventing, when'desired, the movement ,of the seat on the track I6. As shown best in Fig. 13, the lock 2|5 comprises a cylinder 2I6 secured to one of the .hanger members. such as thehanger 42,1n a position adjacent and at right angles `to the lower surface of the track I6. Slidable inthe cylinder 2I6 is a lock bar `2I1 manually movable by means of a handle 2I0 projecting laterally therefromH through a. longitudinal slot 2I9 lforxneciin the wall of the cylinder 2I6. The lock `liar 2|,1 is `resiliently urged upwardrto-force the upper end 220'of the barinto engagement with a drilled Vhole 22| in the track vlilly a compression :springli222vconned betweena vshoulder 223 on `theibar. 2I1 anda shoulder 22| formedin the cylinder.v Formed .as a continuation ofthe lower en d of the slot 2I8 there is provided a'lateral .slot 225v into which the handle'2l8 may. bemoved byl a rotation of thebar, fafter it has been depressed, to .hold the portion220 ofthe bar out tof engagement with the hole 22I.

Qther holes 22|. may .beprovided at various positions on the 4track I6 to lock the chair I3 against rotation if |chair is ordinarily positioned as shown in Fig.

1, vfacing toward the front of the plane indicat- 4 ed ,l yti'.he arrow E. Ordinarily when facing in f this :position the occupant y has access to equipcnt,-such as radio, photographic: apparatus,

the fuselage adjacent the cockpit and extending longitudinally of the fuselage. ,The recess comprises vertical side walls 23| and a bottom wall 232, these walls being' supported by suitable frameworkcwhich in turn is supported by the framework'r233 of the fuselage. When .the gun I5 is lowered into the recess within the contour of the fuselage wind drag is reduced' toa minimum and the machine-sun is not in the way of the occupant of the chair. Suitable latch means indicated at 235 is preferably provided to securely support and lock the gun in this position. As ,Y shown, the latch Vmeans may be secured to a'- cross member of the frame 233 and is preferably of the automatic latch type having a manual releasing member 236.

when it is desired to nre the machine-gun the gunner releases the chair lock 2|5 in the manner above described, which allows the chair to freely pivot through 360 about the secondary axis B and allows the gunner to turn facing aft toward the gun without changing his normal sitting po sition and while remaining securely strapped `t0 the chair. The gunner then actuates the releasing member 236 to release the latch-means 235 and pulls forwardly on the handles of the gun as t indicated by the arrow F in Fig. 1. The gun standard I4| pivoting at the lower end thereof swings upwardly into a vertical position within the groove |45 and is locked rigidly to the gun carriage by the latch dog |50;

The gun I5 may then be moved around the track 95 and locked in any desired position without the gunner removing his hands from the gun, it being only necessary for the gunner to tilt the butt of the gun sharply downward, move the carriage in any direction, and then raise the gun to allow the plunger |66 to engage one of the holes I62,'which locks the carriage in the newposition. It is, of course. obvious that the gunner may at all times follow the movement of the gun, so that he faces in the direction of aim, by

reason ofthe free pivotal movement of the chair on the track I6.

When the gunner desires to change the angular position of the chair so that the chair tilts backwardly from the normal sitting position in- In order to facilitate the use of the foot lever 200 and to increase the ease with which the gunner may tilt and pivot the chair I3 to follow the movement of the gun I5, it is preferable to provide stirrups 240 in which he may place his feet, the stirrups being mounted on the frame of the fuselagein any desired manner.

In order to obtain a maximum athwartships and downward angle of re over the side of the fuselage, the gunner pulls upwardly on the seat lock handle 80, as indicated by the arrow H, thereby withdrawing the plunger 'I0 from engageinent with the hole 1 I The gunner then rises and the seat 32, being urged upwardly by the resilient cords 08, rises easily without appreciable eort Van the part of the gunner.

disclosed that the primary axis A, the secondary axis B, and the raxis about which the gun carriage movesin its arcuate path are relatively offset. It should be understood that this disclosure is merely a style of design and that the axes A and B might intersect and the gun carriage might 'be pivoted on the axis B without changing the relative functions of the elements comprising the fundamental combination which I claim as my invention. It should also be understood that I am aware of numerous other changes that might be made in the device disclosed and of numerous other embodiments thereof that might be devised Without changing the spirit and scope of my invention, which should be interpreted by the appended claims.

The term bodily movable as employed herein is used to distinguish from apivotal movement and refers to a movement of the mass or body as a whole or in its entirely rather than a movement around a xed axis extending through a mass or body I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a supporting structure; a chair movable on said structure so that the occupant may face in different directions in a normal sitting position; carriage supporting means on said supporting structure; a gun carriage adapted for mounting a gun; means for mounting said gun carriage on said carriage supporting means so that `Said gun Carriage .is bodily movable in a path about said chair; and means for pivotally supporting said structure to tilt said chair from said normal position into a substantially reclining position.

2. ,In a device of the character described, the 'combination of: a supporting structure including an arcuate chair track and a gun carriage track; a chair movable on said chair track; a gun carriage adapted for mounting a gun movable on said gun carriage track in an arcuate path adjacent to and independently of said chair; and

means for pivotally supporting said supporting structure to tilt said chair and said carriage into diierent positions.

3. In 'a device of the character described, the

combination of: a supporting structure; an arl cuate gun track supported by said structure; a

gun carriage movable on said track; a chairsupported by said structure and movable thereon so that the occupant may face in diierent directions to follow the movement of said gun carriage; means for mounting a gun on said gun carriage; lock mechanism including plunger vmeans resiliently mounted on said carriage adapted to engage stop means on said track for locking said carriage in various positions on said track; and cam means mounted on said gun and operable by a movement of said gun to actuate said lock mechanism to release said carriage for movement on said track.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a. supporting structure; a gun carriage adapted for mounting a gun; a carriage supporting means on said structure whereby said gun carriage is bodily movable on said structure in an arcuate path; a chair including a frame and a seat supported by said structure and movable thereon independently. of said gun carriage 'so that the occupant may face in different directions to follow the movement of said gun carriage; means for plvotally supporting said structure to tilt said chair and said carriage; and means for releasably locking said seat to said frame in different positions.

5. In a device ofthe character described, the combination of: asupporting structure;'a gun carriage movable on saidstructnre; aehaiif movable on said structure so that the occupant may face in different directions; means for pivotaliy supporting said structure to tilt said chairy and said carriage; and a gun standard pivoted to said carriage and operable to swing from an upright position in which it supports a gun in an operative position into an inclined position Aaway from said carriage to lower said gun into an inoperative position. f

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a supporting structure; a gun carriage movable on said structure; a chair movable on said structure so that the occupant may face in diiierent directions; means for pivotaily supporting said structure to tilt said chair and said carriage; a gun standard pivoted at the lower end thereof to the lower part of said carriage; and means for releasably locking the upper end of said standard to said carriage to rigidly secure said standard thereto in an upright position in which it supports a gun in an operative position, said standard pivoting when released to move said gun into an inoperative position.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a supporting structure; a gun carriage; a. carriage supporting means on said structure whereby said gun carriage is bodily movable on said structure in an arcuate path; a chair supported by said structure and movable thereon independently of said gun carriage so that the occupant may face in different directions to vfollow the movement of said gun carriagepand means for pivotally supporting said structure to tilt said chairand said gun carriage forwardly and backwardly.

8. In combination with a machine-gun: a gun carriage having a gun-standard seat; means for movabiy supporting said carriage; an elongated gun standard pivoted at the lower end thereof to the lower part of said carriage; and means for releasably locking the upper end of said standard to said carriageto rigidly secure said standl sition.

9. In combination with an airplane providing 'a body: walls forming a recess within the con tour of said body; a gun carriage; means for movably supporting said fun carriage adjacent said recess; an elongated gun standard pivoted at the lower end thereof to said carriage; and means for releasably locking the upper end of said standard to said carriage to rigidly secure said standard thereto in an upright position operatively supporting said gun above said body, said standard pivoting when released to move said gun into an inoperative position within said recess.

10. In combination with an airplane providing a body: walls forming a recess within the contour of said body; a gun carriage; means for movably supporting said gun carriage adjacent said recess; an elongated gun standard pivoted at the lower end thereof to said carriage; means for releasably locking the upper end o f said standard to said carriage to rigidly secure said standard thereto in an upright position operatively sup porting said gun above said body, said standard pivoting when released to move said gun into an inoperative position within said recess; and

means for releasably locking andl supporting said .gun insaid recessi.

11. In a device' oftheoharacter described, the combination of: a, supporting structure; a ring dicular to the axis of lthe supporting structure; a

seat structure rotatably mounted on said ring; means for locking said seat in any position of rotation 'about the center of the ring; means for adjusting said seat vertically with respect to the ring; means for locking said seat at various heights; a substantially annular track fixed to the ring to tilt therewith; a carriage mounted on said track movable on said track; means on said carriage -for carrying a machine gun; means for moving the gun substantially downward and to the rear to an inoperative position; and means for locking said gun in both operative and inoperative positions.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a; supporting structure; a chair movable on said structure so that the occupant may face in different directions; a gun carriage adapted for mounting a gun: a track on said structure on which said gun carriage is movable; and means for pivotally supporting said supporting structure so that said chair and said carriage may be tilted together.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a supporting structure; a chair movable on said `structure so that the occupant may face in different directions; a gun carriage track on said supporting structure; a gun carriage adapted to carry a gun mounted on said track and inovable thereon; and means for pivotally supporting said supporting structure so that said chair and said gun carriage may be tilted together.

` 14. In a device oi the character described, the combination of: a supporting structure; a chair movable on said structure so that the occupant may face in diilerent directions; a gun carriage track on said supporting structure; a gun carriage mounted on said track 'and movable thereon, said gun carriage having a pivotal support for a gun; 'and means for pivotally supporting said supporting structure so that said chair and said ,gun carriage may be tilted together.

15. In a device of the character described, the

14 combination of: a supporting structure; a chair movable onsaid structure so that the occupant may face in dierent directions, said chair having a seat and means whereby said seat may be independently raised or lowered; a gun carriage track on said supporting structure; a gun carriage radapted to carry a gun mounted on said track and movable thereon; and means for pivotally sup..

porting said supporting structure so that said chair and said gun carriage may be tilted together. 16. In a device of the character described, the

combination of: a supporting structure: an arcuate gun track supported by said structure; a gun carriage movable on said track; means for mounting a gun on said gun carriage; lock mech- .nism to release said carriage for movement on said track.

JAMES S. SMITHSON.

REFERENCES dci'rxin The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS y Number Name Date 1,561,992 Marazzi Nov. 17, 1925 1,902,107 Trimbach Mar. 21, 1933 1,364,525 Scart! Jan. 4, 1921 1,592.693 Hall s July 13, 1926 1,851,576 lGrumman Mar.'29, 1932 1,968,182 Trimbach 7... July 31, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS t Number (Iountryl Date 332,398 Great Britain July 24, 1930 143,937 Great Britain ..-'June 20, 1920 306,439 Germany June 21, 1920 128,244 Great Britain ..-1---- June 26, 1919 130,690 Great Britain Aug. 14,5919 320,371 Germany Apr. 21, 1920 

